My dad had always said, "We may not be rich, but you can be proud to be a Passedge. Our family has a good name. Be careful not to sully it."

It isn't easy being a Passedge. Brought up in a God-fearing home, 18-year-old Grace feels trapped in a "suburban Alcatraz" by her overbearing father. Then she crosses paths with Michael Irving, a visiting professor at the local college, once. . .twice. . .and suddenly they are dating, secretly.

Attractive, worldly, and more likely to quote Shelley than scripture, Michael is everything Grace has ever dreamed of--and he loves her. Through him, she begins to see things differently. "He's cracked open my whole world," she says. Freedom brings with it unanticipated complications, though, and Grace emerges from a cage only to find herself in a maze. She quickly discovers that being involved with an older man is not all poetry and chardonnay.

ReviewsSchool Library Journal: "A gently redemptive, compelling story of a young woman who wants to grow up too fast."Publisher's Weekly: "MacLean's well-paced, first person narrative rings true. . .[and] will strike a chord with readers."VOYA: ". . .the theme about finding one's true self is sure to resonate strongly with a lot of teens. MacLean's writing moves the action swiftly enough for reluctant readers, and girls, who like Grace relish romantic reads, will keep this book circulating."TeenReads.com: "Completely orginal. . .a great book for opening up meaningful discussions between mothers and their [mature] teenage daughters.

What People Are Saying
"How it's Done is a richly woven tale of a young woman who discovers what it really means to be an adult. This story, told with honesty and heart, held me in my seat to the very end. I have discovered a new favorite writer in Christine MacLean."--Han Nolan, author of the National Book Award winning Dancing on the Edge.

"How it's Done updates the romance novel in a compelling, realistic way. Once you start reading, you won't stop." --Will Weaver, author of Full Service, a 2005 Horn Book Fanfare winner.

"Christine Kole MacLean writes about the strength of desire, the power of conviction, and what can happen once all the rules get broken. How it's Done is richly compelling and sinfully provocative. I was hooked and could not stop turning pages."--Laurie Stolarz, author of Blue is for Nightmare